Nodar Kumaritashvili was a 21 year old Georgian luge athlete and Olympian regarded as one of the best lugers to ever come from the country of Georgia.
On February 12, 2010, after 25 previous attempts, Nodar lost control in the last turn of the course. He was thrown off his luge and over the sidewall of the track, striking an unprotected steel support beam at the end of the run. He was travelling 143.6 km/h (90 mph) at the moment of impact.
Medics immediately rushed to Kumaritashvili and performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. He was airlifted to a Whistler hospital, where he passed away of his injuries.
In response to the accident, the Georgian team announced that they would consider skipping Olympic games entirely, but the Georgian minister for sports later announced the team would stay in Vancouver and, quote, “dedicate their efforts to their fallen comrade”. During the opening ceremony, the remaining members of the Georgian Olympic team wore black armbands and left a space vacant as a mark of respect.
During the opening ceremonies, a moment of silence was held to honour Kumaritashvili’s memory, and both the Canadian and Olympic flags were lowered to half-staff
On February 17, Kumaritashvili’s body arrived in his hometown of Bakuriani. Thousands of Georgians attended a funeral feast for him on February 19, and he was buried a few days later at the church he had attended. The Georgian President attended the funeral service dressed in a Georgian Olympic uniform.
In spite of several donations to Nodars parents, the tragedy was agonizing to them. His mother, who continued to fix a meal for Kumaritashvili every day, tried to end her life twice after his passing, while his father dealt with severe health problems resulting in multiple hospital stays.
To prevent an accident like this from happening again, the sidewalls of the track were raised, and padding was also added to exposed metal beams near the finish line. Olympic officials claimed the changes were “not for safety reasons but to accommodate the emotional state of the lugers”.
#Horror #Olympics #Luge
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